Permaculture Gardens

Natural Antivirals to help with Coronavirus

March 23, 2020

Natural Antivirals for Coronavirus Disclaimer:

The plants detailed below are part of a promising study of candidate herbs to inhibit the novel coronavirus that is causing Covid-19.

I am not a medical doctor nor a certified herbalist. I have used herbs to maintain my health and the health of my family. As of this writing there is no known cure for the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

The statements below have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This blog is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

This post contains some affiliate links. The small commission we receive if you choose to purchase goes towards making this gardening education available for free! Thanks so much for your support!

Waiting for the Coronavirus Storm to Blow Over

As you wait for the vaccines that will likely take over a year to develop, you may be asking what you can do in case you, or a loved one become infected with COVID-19.

By now, we all should know and employ the means to prevent ourselves from getting sick or risk spreading the disease. As the CDC guidelines tell us, we should:

Wash our hands for 20 seconds with soap and water

Disinfect "high touch" or "common space" surface areas

Socially distance ourselves, staying a 6 feet away from each other

Stay home as much as we can

But what about a more proactive approach?

I propose that aside from growing our food, we should also try growing our own medicinal remedies. And that we should cultivate, or at least be familiar with, natural antivirals for coronavirus in our gardens.

But do natural antivirals for coronavirus even exist?

Do herbs really work?

Do natural antiviral herbs work for coronavirus?

Let us turn to a recent study, whose objective was to "identify Chinese medicinal herbs that are commonly used in treating viral respiratory infections and also contain compounds that might directly inhibit 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV)," for an explanation.

"Plant medicines are absolutely not drugs. They are far more complex in their actions. Drugs are single chemical structure entities. A great many of them are designed to force an alteration in physiological functioning, to lower blood pressure, or to increase levels of ACE-2, for instance. Drugs almost never treat the underlying condition, which is causing the symptoms; they just force the body to behave, to move into a range of behavior that some people have decided it must be within."

There have been several studies showing the antiviral properties of herbs. Here are three reasons to believe that herbs can be effective against COVID-19.

The final supporting evidence for the use of Chinese medicinal herbs for COVID-19 comes from Dr. Deng-hai Zhang himself (the scientist who led the study). When asked whether there were "in vivo" experiments to prove the effectiveness of the 26 herbs he had screened above, Dr. Zhang replied in an email saying,

"I have not confirmed my findings with in vivo experiments. However, half of the 26 plants I screened had been included in the official herbal formulas recommended by the Chinese government to fighting the COVID-19, and these formulae have brought about good clinical results."

So yes, certain herbs are antiviral!

What are the natural antivirals for coronavirus?

The Chinese study cited began by identifying 13 natural compounds that were already researched and proven effective in the treatment of past coronaviruses (the class of viruses which the COVID-19 belongs to). These were coronaviruses responsible for SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome), and MERS (Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome). Dr. Zhang and his team then selected 125 Chinese herbs which contained two or more of these 13 compounds.

At this point, the researchers asked, "Which among these herbs do Chinese herbalists often use to treat viral respiratory infections?"

Because the researchers were racing against the pandemic clock, they screened the herbs with yet another condition in mind.

"Which herbs could best be absorbed by the body orally?"

Tea, being the fastest, most straightforward way to get the remedy to the infected person, is how Chinese herbalists normally prescribe these herbs. Typically, herbs are brewed in boiling water for a number of minutes in order to "cook" the plant, extract their soluble compounds and release them into the water.

Now that you know what Chinese herbs to use, your next question might be...

Are Chinese herbs the only herbal remedies for coronavirus?

No, there are other herbs that may help.

In fact, below I site a paper from an herbalist who has done extensive research in the field of herbal antivirals and herbal antibiotics. He has a different set of herbs to consider.

One thing to keep in mind is that there are fewer and smaller studies about herbal antivirals than there are studies on the commercial drugs and vaccines to cure diseases. So there could potentially be any number of herbs that would be effective against Covid-19, but not all the science is available to us right now.

Where can I buy herbal remedies for coronavirus?

Unfortunately, not all the Chinese herbs listed above can easily be found.

Where I could, I have linked the herbs above to possible sources. But a strong word of caution: it's best to consult a registered Chinese herbalist who would likely have a reputable source for the herbs above and teach you how to use them in the right way.

Are these natural antivirals for coronavirus safe to use?

Each person reacts differently to different herbs. And certain herbs, such as licorice, are not meant to be taken daily in large amounts. Licorice, however, in small quantities, is a well-studied and proven antiviral herb. That is why there are several commercial teas available which have licorice in their formulations. Some of these are "Gypsy Cold Care" and "Cold Season."

Herb dosages and preparations also need to be adjusted to the individual. Unless otherwise advised by an herbalist, it would be safer to err on the side of caution and assume that the herbs above should not be taken in large doses for a prolonged period of time.

The study states that these herbs are "traditionally used to treat viral respiratory infection." As such, they are not meant to be taken when someone is healthy. Only when someone is sick with upper respiratory infections such as the coronavirus. Of the herbs above, the only herb that is meant to be taken to prevent a viral infection is Dryopteris crassirhizoma (shield fern).

Another question to ask is:

How do I use these antiviral herbs to fight a coronavirus infection?

The study of Chinese herbs above also states, "The specific dosage and usage of each herb should be determined based on patients’ manifestations." Consulting a reputable Chinese herbalist or an herbalist registered with the American Herbalist Guild (AHG) would be your best bet for knowing your correct dosage and use for the herbs above.

His general recommendations for using natural antivirals for coronavirus can be found HERE.

Can I grow natural antivirals for coronavirus?

Absolutely!

In fact, this is the part we advocate for the most.

Most of the herbs in the study (except Anemarrhena asphodeloide, Ardisia japonica & Euphorbia helioscopa), are currently found in the U.S. The Coptis family can be grown in all lower 48 states of the U.S., Canada, Alaska, Hawaii, parts of France, and even Greenland.

Reference the table below for growing range details. Where I have found a possible source for purchasing the seeds or plants, you will find a link to a plant/seed shop.

I have researched on the Garcinia kola, Garcinia kola contains a special kind of oil when it’s been extracted properly when it’s fresh.
And fresh leave of Mentha piperita, garlic juice… the final stage I can’t reveal… my research help recovered an infected persons 2 to 3 days of contamination of COVID-19.

My name is Josh Tomlinson, And I am a Registered Herbalist due to more recent research on the herbal remedies to COVID-19. I have made an effective approach from the old traditional Garcinia kola mix with other traditional home recipes in other to front COVID-19 virus. My traditional remedy has studied and has used to help life as patients who were infected have started gaining recovery.
I’m here to help the infected ones with our research of herbal remedies to COVID-19. open contact via ( joshtomlinson434@gmail.com and follow our Instagram page #safeline_safetydisposal ) regardless of your questions… I’m ready to give my beneficiary support.
we also provide Safeline Safety Disposable – Face-mask, gloves and sanitizers.

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